Conor O’Sullivan, Sarsfields, and Steven Conway, Feakle, in AIB Munster Club SHC action. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
AIB Munster Club SHC Semi-Final
Sarsfields 1-25 Feakle 1-17
By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sarsfields arrested Cork’s eight-year losing streak in the Munster Club SHC, reeling off the final eight points to see off Clare champions Feakle.
Aaron Myers blasted 1-6 from play while county panellists Jack O’Connor and Cathal McCarthy notched 0-4 apiece as the Rebel runners-up put themselves within an hour of provincial glory.
They become the first Leeside team since Glen Rovers in 2016 to reach the Munster decider, but a monumental challenge awaits if they are to avenge last year’s defeat to four-in-a-row-chasers Ballygunner.
Most clubs enter their province off the crest of a wave. Sars were coming off a painful county final defeat to divisional side Imokilly and made some notable changes.
There was a senior debut for goalkeeper Ben Graham, Cillian Roche came in at centre-back, with Eoghan Murphy shifting to full-back, and McCarthy got his first start of an injury-disrupted year in midfield.
Feakle were backed by the wind and carried their momentum into the opening minutes with an Oisín O’Connor white flag straight from the throw-in.
They scored five of the first six points, with Eibhear Quilligan three times picking out Oisín Donnellan, who slotted two points and was fouled for a third.
Sars misdirected nine wides in the opening 20 minutes – and 16 across the hour – but they eventually began to fix their radar and slow Feakle’s progress.
McCarthy nabbed a brace and corner-back Paul Leopold launched another between the posts.
They exchanged points with Steven Conway and Jack O’Connor catching and converting from long puck-outs.
Myers lit up the Páirc with a 1-2 burst in the space of three minutes. The first point originated from a Daniel Kearney hook deep in his own half. He was twice found by the impressive Graham’s long darts for his next pair, with the 19th-minute goal a textbook high catch and clever close-range finish.
They led by 1-7 to 0-6 and threatened more with Quilligan saving from Myers and deflecting over a Luke Elliott strike.
Donnellan had a chance of his own from a booming Quilligan puck-out but his scuffed shot was taken by Graham. Shane McGrath’s fourth free left the visitors 1-12 to 0-11 behind at half-time.
That lead didn’t last four minutes beyond the restart. Eoin Tuohy opened his account before McGrath was scythed down by Conor O’Sullivan when shooting for goal. Thomas Walsh awarded a penalty and Quilligan made the long journey forward to fire it home.
Sars re-established a three-point lead with a few Daniel Hogan frees but Feakle levelled for a fourth time in the 46th minute with scores from Conway, McGrath, and Tuohy.
They wouldn’t register again. Instead, Sars took a vice grip on the contest and necklaced the final eight points.
Myers had three, including one eye-catching score created by some intricate ground hurling by O’Sullivan and Hogan.
Cathal McCarthy and Jack O’Connor’s brace took their tallies to four, while Colm McCarthy tiptoed along the sideline for a spectacular effort and substitute Shane O’Regan arrowed another over.
McGrath’s late free was saved on the line as the Clare champions’ memorable year came to an end.
Scorers for Sarsfields: Aaron Myers 1-6, Daniel Hogan 0-6 (5fs, 1 65), Cathal McCarthy, Jack O’Connor 0-4 each, Paul Leopold, Luke Elliott, Daniel Kearney, Colm McCarthy, Shane O’Regan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Feakle: Shane McGrath 0-7 (5fs), Eibhear Quilligan 1-0 (pen), Oisín Donnellan, Steven Conway 0-3 each, Eoin Tuohy 0-2, Enda Noonan, Oisín O’Connor 0-1 each.
Sarsfields: Ben Graham; Conor O’Sullivan, Eoghan Murphy, Paul Leopold; Bryan Murphy, Cillian Roche, Luke Elliott; Colm McCarthy, Cathal McCarthy; Daniel Kearney, Daniel Hogan, Cian Darcy; Aaron Myers, James Sweeney, Jack O’Connor.
Subs: Shane O’Regan for Sweeney (49), Eoin O’Sullivan for Kearney (56), Craig Leahy for Elliott (57).
Feakle: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Eoghan Daly, Oisín Clune; Killian Bane, Conn Smyth, Eoin Tuohy; Ronan O’Connor, Enda Noonan; Oisín Donnellan, Shane McGrath, Stephen Conway; Patrick Daly, Martin Daly, Oisín O’Connor.
Subs: Raymond Bane for P Daly (48), Owen McGann for O O’Connor (52), Fiachra Donnellan for M Daly (60), Ger Hanrahan for Noonan (60), Enda Madden for K Bane (60+2).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
